Artist Patch
|
|
Butterick M Santa ,chef, jester, china suit pattern $7.99 |
|
|
McCall’s 4410 Decorative PILLOWS PATTERN in 8 Designs *NEW* $4.99 |
Legal Thriller Author Reveals Easy Ways to Spot Natural Disaster Rip-Offs by Jack Payne
Amateur con artists of all stripes find that conning the government is the easiest scam of all Finagle’s Law of Bureaucracy: The first myth of management efficiency is that it exists, worked well for the exploiters of Hurricane Katrina.
When Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans in 2005, rank amateur con artists had a field day, not even needing the benefits of any particular rip-off training. Collectively they ripped about everything ripable from FEMA’s pockets, including the lining. Here is just a sampling of the “enrichment activities” which took place at taxpayer expense as reported by a Senate Investigating Committee:
> An unbelievable 33% of the 2.5 million total applications for all forms of individual assistance were duplicates. That’s right, nearly 1 million cases of fraud. Extraordinary.
> Government auditors, using bogus identities, false addresses, and creative disaster stories–for practice–were able to obtain their own $2,000 checks. No questions asked.
> Of 200 home addresses listed as hurricane damaged, 80–a staggering 40%–turned out to be nonexistent apartments or vacant lots.
> Twenty people used 35 bogus social security numbers to rake in more than $100,000 in payment-loot.
> Almost half of 11,000 people who were issued special debit cards good for $2,000 each as survival funds, got a second $2,000 windfall.
> More than half of a group of 250 collected using phantom social security numbers–numbers which had never been issued.
> Use of the social security numbers of dead people proliferated.
> Many cases were found of the special electronic debit cards being used to pay for jewelry, bail bond services, a .45-caliber handgun, and “adult entertainment” of some form or another. This part of the story reads more like fiction, like from a legal thriller.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, almost simultaneously with residents streaming out of New Orleans, a wave of illegal immigrants streamed in. Many of the clean-up jobs were taken by these people, no doubt extending the massive fraud, due to the known, high quantity of fake social security number use in their ranks.
End in sight? Who knows? After a 2-year struggle, the Homeland Security Dept. is still trying to get a handle on it. Being a cumbersome, lumbering government agency, one should not hold one’s breath in wild-eyed anticipation Con artists are not the only ones who know that dealing with the government is like kicking a 300-pound sponge.
Oddity is, some 80 years before–in 1925–New Orleans was devastated by an almost identical hurricane-disaster. Not a penny came out of the Federal Treasury to bail the city out of that one. Nonetheless, somehow, the city got rebuilt. Obviously, with no federal bailout, no funds were available for fraud. So, the outcome was entirely different on that score too. How times have changed!
A generally accepted sage-wisdom of life is: You don’t want to be so intelligent that nobody can relate to you. Consequently, professionals in every field generally regard talented amateurs with respect. The top executives of NBA basketball were duly impressed with the court prowess of Kobe Bryant and LeBron James while they were still in high school. Corporations vigorously recruit computer nerds, engineers, scientists, and honor graduates of all stripes on college campuses yearly. Even the federal and state governments are constantly seeking talented amateurs from among the masses, to employ and train.
Not so in the con artists’ profession. Here the sociopath professional regards the amateur with disdain, convinced he is incapable of developing any kind of workable shell game. He feels, in this field of endeavor, the amateur, not having the I.Q. of a postage stamp, would be the type who would hold up a bank with thumb and forefinger for a gun, forgetting to keep the hand in a pocket. It is therefore appalling to the professional con artist to see this army of not-ready-for-prime-time players charge forward in Louisiana with such stunning success.
Many lock-the-barn-door steps have been taken by Homeland Security since the August, 2005 hordes of amateur con artists were unleashed upon them. But sadly, an ominous, almost hysterical note of panic winds through these moves. There’s a ring of resignation about them. Too patch-quilt! Too little! Too late!
The Con Man’s Blog, and first two chapters of Jack Payne’s legal thriller book, Six Hours Past Thursday, are now available online. Both readable for free. You are invited. www.sixhrs.com
Article Source: http://www.earticlesonline.com/Article/Legal-Thriller-Author-Reveals-Easy-Ways-to-Spot-Natural-Disaster-Rip-Offs/243983
|
|
Artist Chico Von Spoon Frank Monster Embroidered Iron On Badge Applique Patch FD $4.99 |
|
|
Artist ChuckWagon Robot Embroidered Iron On Applique Patch FD $4.99 |
|
|
Artist ChuckWagon Sacred Heart Embroidered Iron On Applique Patch FD $5.99 |
|
|
Artist ChuckWagon Spaceship Rocket Embroidered Iron On Applique Patch FD $4.99 |
|
|
Artist Dan Collins Flaming Sacred Heart Embroidered Iron On Applique Patch FD $4.75 |
|
|
Artist Reed Flaming Fruit Cherries Embroidered Iron On Badge Applique Patch FD $4.99 |
|
|
Artist Reed Gun Pistol & Rose Embroidered Iron On Badge Applique Patch FD $4.99 |
|
|
Artist Reed Poisonous Black Widow Spider Embroidered Iron On Applique Patch FD $4.99 |
|
|
Artist Dan Morris Flower Power Butterfly Mushroom Iron On Patch $4.95 |
|
|
Artist Dan Morris Hippie Peace Sign Flower Power Embroidered Iron On Patch $5.95 |
|
|
Artist Dan Morris Hummingbird Iron On Hippie Applique Patch $4.99 |
|
|
Artist Dan Morris Moon & Stars Mushroom Iron On Hippie Patch $4.95 |
|
|
Artist Dan Morris Moon Mushroom Iron On Hippie Patch $4.95 |
|
|
Artist Dan Morris Sun Mushroom Iron On Hippie Patch $4.95 |
|
|
Artist Dan Morris Turtle Tortoise Iron On Hippie Patch $5.95 |
|
|
Artist Dan Morris Ying Yang Iron On Hippie Patch $5.95 |
|
|
Artist ChuckWagon Mini Tiki Head Iron On Patch BF $3.99 |
|
|
Artist ChuckWagon Mini Tiki Head Iron On Patch PIF $3.99 |
|
|
Artist ChuckWagon Mini Tiki Head Iron On Patch YF $3.99 |
|
|
Artist ChuckWagon Topless Hawaiian Hula Girl Patch $4.99 |
|
|
Gertie Millar/holland Photo Mugs GERTIE MILLAR Actress as she appeared in Miss Hook of Holland – seen here with a young fellow-thespian…. |
|
|
Rhythm Country & Blues $3.99 11 tracks teaming country artists with R&B artists. Small cut into jewelcase over barcode does not appear to touch art…. |
|
|
Disney’s Sing Along Songs – Home on the Range $1.97 Features include: •MPAA Rating: NR•Format: DVD•Runtime: 37 minutes… |
|
|
Six Feet Under, Volume Two: Everything Ends – Music from the HBO Original Series $7.94 12 tracks including Radiohead’s LUCKY. Also Coldplay, Irma Thomas, Sia etc. Tiny light scuff on disc will not affect play…. |
|
|
3M 75 Repositionable Clear Spray Adhesive, 10.25-Ounce Net Wt. Aerosol Can $17.23 Excellent for production line work where parts are held in place temporarily prior to final assembly. Bonds paper, cardboard, acetate, foil, fabrics, sheeting, etc. Will not bleed through, stain wrinkle most materials. Clear in color…. |
|
|
Keys Luminos Hydrating Moisturizer $22.95 Luminos was developed as a facial moisturizer that also offers calming therapy for the skin. The high concentration of Aloe Vera, avocado oil, black cumin oil and carrot seed oil have properties that provide strong anti aging properties. Luminos calms the skin while providing a softening effect that creates a visual reduction of redness, fine lines and dry patches. Luminos was developed in conjunc… |
|
|
Liquid Leather And Vinyl Repair Kit W/Fabric $5.11 A complete leather, vinyl and fabric upholstery repair kit! This unique product is safe, fast and easy to use. Youll have the ability to match popular colors and grains or textures on leather, plastic, vinyl, fabric, carpet and velour. Two complete repair kits, one for leather and vinyl, the other for fabrics! Both halves of the kit come with: 7 colors for mixing and matching Application tools Gra… |
|
|
USA America /Brazil / Japan Patch – Small $6.99 These top quality embroidered patches are specifically designed for the martial artist. Made from the finest materials, these emblems make great accessories to any uniform, hat, bag or jacket. Easy to sew on. Completely washable and colorfast. Measures 6″ x 1-1/2″…. |
|
|
Kenwood KCA-IP302 iPod Cable $25.88 Automotive-Grade 3-Wire iPhone/iPod to USB Cable For Multimedia Playback Supports Up To 12Mbps Transfer Speed Supports Audio & Video Content Including Content Purchased From iTunes With DRM Designed For Kenwood/Excelon Multimedia Receivers Featuring iPod Audio Video USB Direct Control Charges iPhone/iPod Compatible models include: iPod Nano (1st/2nd/3rd Gen) iPod Video (5th Gen) iPod Classic (6th … |
|
|
Alpine KCE-440i – iPhone / iPod to car audio interface cable kit – USB (Same KCU-440I) By Hyper $23.95 Features: USB iPod/iPhone Cable with 6 Ft USB Extension |
|
|
EK Sticko Stickers Artist $1.89 EK Sticko Stickers are acid free and photo safe. Great for collecting, invitations, stationery, gift wrapping, parties, scrapbooking and much more! Use stickers in all your projects! Artist- Package contains 1 sheet, approx. 3 3/4″x 6 3/4″, with 13 pieces. Pieces include 2 groups of colored markers, 4 colored pencils, 2 paint brushes, a wooden artist’s palette with daubs of paint, a pair of safety scissors, a group of 4 tempera paint bottles, a group of colored chalk sticks, and a pan of watercolor paints with caption “Artist”. All in shades of Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Violet, Orange, Black, and White. Sizes vary up to about 3 1/2″. |
|
|
Pink Patch $15.99 Pink Patch |
|
|
EK Jolee’s Boutique Bunny Artist $4.69 It’s easy to add color, design, texture and dimension to scrapbooks, cards and and craft projects with Jolee’s Boutique stickers. Whether you want characters, sports, destination, seasons, holidays or more, you will find them in one of these wonderful collection. Ages 3 and up. Bunny Artist- Package contains 1 sheet, approx. 3 3/4″x 4″, with 6 pieces. Pieces included a standing bunny with artist’s palette and paint brush, 2 decorated eggs, a chick in a broken egg, a walking chick, and a partially open chocolate egg. All in shades of Pink, Aqua, Yellow, Mint, Chocolate, and White, with foil and epoxy eggs. |
|
|
EK Sticko Stickers Pumpkin Patch $1.89 EK Sticko Stickers are acid free and photo safe. Great for collecting, invitations, stationery, gift wrapping, parties, scrapbooking and much more! Use stickers in all your projects! Pumpkin Patch- 15 stickers that include pumpkins, crows, leaves and a caption of Pumpkin Patch. They vary in size from approximately 1/2″ to 3 1/2″x 5/8″. |
|
|
Loew Cornell Palette Artist’s Palette 10 Well $2.39 Loew Cornell Palettes come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and styles. Whether you want oval, round, rectangle, covered or divided, single wells or multi wells, Loew Cornell has them all. Artist’s Palette 10 Well- This palette is oval, approximately 9″x 6.5″, has 10-1.25″ wells and has a thump hole for easy handling. |
|
|
April Cornell Quilt Fabric- Provence Jamavar Patch $9.99 44” Wide100% Cotton Machine Wash Cool Delicate No Chlorine Bleach Tumble Dry Low Warm IronMade in South KoreaApril Cornell quiliting fabrics are heirloom quality. Her color palettes whether tipped from an artist’s paint box or snipped from romantic garden blossoms are irresistibly rich. Her philosophy of "making an occasion out of every day life" may appear simple yet it is what makes everything she does distinctively special. |
|
|
Essentials Artist Pack-Artist Pastels $8.99 These Artist Pack Kits contain all the necessary tools you need to indulge your inner artist. These kits are available in a variety of mediums; each with its own spiral-bound paper pad. This package contains one 12x9in six page pad of 108 lb. pastel paper and eighteen soft pastels. Contents conform to ASTM D4236. |
|
|
Beacon Glue & Adhesive Patch Attach 1oz Carded $5.19 Beacon Glues and Adhesives are renowned for their strength, reliability and versatility. There’s a quality Beacon product for almost any purpose or project. Patch Attach 1oz Carded- Designed to bond almost any patch to fabric. You can bond school emblems, varsity letters, karate patches-even those fun and funky appliques. Decorate your jeans or design a special shirt. Permanent, washable, dry-cleanable and completely non-toxic. |
|
|
12X16 Artist Canvas $9.99 Stretched canvas Archival quality Artist Canvas Stretched |
|
|
24X24 Artist Canvas $21.99 Stretched canvas Archival quality Artist Canvas Stretched |
|
|
12X24 Artist Canvas $12.99 Stretched canvas Archival quality Artist Canvas Stretched |
|
|
18X24 Artist Canvas $15.99 Stretched canvas Archival quality Artist Canvas Stretched |
|
|
10X10 Artist Canvas $6.99 Stretched canvas Archival quality Artist Canvas Stretched |